Akin refuses to quit Senate race after rape comments

ST. LOUIS — Representative Todd Akin apologized Monday for televised comments in which he said that women’s bodies are able to prevent pregnancies if they are victims of ‘‘a legitimate rape,’’ but he refused to heed calls to abandon his bid for the Senate.

Appearing on Mike Huckabee’s radio show, Akin, a Missouri Republican, said rape is ‘‘never legitimate.’’